Seeing surging influenza and other respiratory illness, Ballad Health follows CDC guidance, takes steps to protect patients and staff

Ballad Health is responding to a sharp increase in influenza and norovirus cases across the region by implementing temporary safety measures to protect patients, team members and the community.

The rapid surge of these illnesses raises two concerns: First, the protection of patients who are potentially vulnerable (older than 65, younger than six or who have chronic medical conditions), and second, the impact on staffing when team members contract the illness and cannot work. This may lead to short staffing, further impacting patient care and overwhelming other team members.

Starting Wednesday, Dec. 24, all Ballad Health facilities will require masking for team members and allied healthcare providers in patient care areas and during any patient interactions, regardless of vaccination status. This includes all hospitals and outpatient care sites, including all Ballad Health Medical Associates offices and long-term care facilities. Enhanced visitation measures are also being implemented to curb the spread of these highly contagious illnesses.

To ensure the safety of vulnerable patients and to mitigate staffing challenges caused by illness among team members, these measures will remain in effect until Wednesday, Jan. 14, when they will be re-evaluated based on regional health data.

In order to decrease the opportunity for hospital patients to contract these illnesses, Ballad Health is asking for the following assistance from patient families and loved ones:

• Anyone who has flu-like symptoms, such as cough, sore throat, fever, chills, runny nose, body aches, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, should avoid patient visitation.
• Anyone younger than 18 should avoid visitation.
• Depending upon the situation (room size, patient condition, etc.), nursing staff are authorized to limit the number of visitors.

Staff are authorized to make exceptions related to patients who are facing end-of-life in order to ensure families and loved ones may remain by the patient’s side. Also, exceptions are authorized in the family birth center as well as Niswonger Children’s Hospital, depending upon the patient's condition.

Like all respiratory illnesses, flu is spread by tiny droplets that are released into the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. Wearing a mask is an effective method of reducing the spread of respiratory illness, including flu, and is highly encouraged for visitors in Ballad Health facilities. Additionally, frequent hand washing and practicing respiratory etiquette, such as covering your mouth while coughing or sneezing, help slow the spread of respiratory illnesses like the flu.

Flu can be spread for a full day before a person starts showing symptoms, so Ballad Health encourages community members to remain vigilant in helping hospital staff protect patients from unnecessary exposure. Norovirus, which has also seen a rapid surge in cases, can cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhea and vomiting, which can severely complicate a patient’s condition. It can also lead to additional hospitalizations for some people.

While norovirus is not transmitted the same way as respiratory illnesses, it is still highly contagious. Frequent and proper hand washing with soap and water is the best way to prevent norovirus infection, as is restraining from sharing food or utensils with other people. As norovirus can be transmitted through infected surfaces, frequently disinfecting areas that could be infected is also advised.

While most people who contract influenza or norovirus will recover without medical intervention, flu can be severe and even deadly for certain groups of people, including adults older than 65, children younger than six and those with certain medical conditions. A patient hospitalized for an unrelated illness may have their condition severely complicated by exposure to influenza.  

Ballad Health offers flu tests at all its urgent care and retail pharmacy locations, or patients can ask their primary care practitioner for a flu test.

For more about Ballad Health’s Urgent Care services, including virtual appointments, visit www.balladhealth.org/medical-services/urgent-care.